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Railroad Workers 101: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it is due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years after the launch of an investigation across the state on health, researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly used for the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. The exposure to creosote over short periods can result in skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pains, burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a serious issue for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to a range of cancers of various types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a railroad yard that was close to their homes. The chemical is said to have contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination , and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other costs. They also claim that they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long time. They can be found in many sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. People who are exposed to higher levels are believed to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine changes, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed is through food and water. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.

It is vital to remember that exposure to dioxins can affect your health depending on many aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit is also important to consider your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy teeth, bones and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department revealed that they had found cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in a variety of regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are often persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can result from leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.


In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely known. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to discover how this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, such as lower birth weight. Low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth and/or later in childhood.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and is present in many products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It is able to accumulate within the body and can lead to serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has tried to eliminate the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents say.

One of the most important problems that arose due to the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the residents who are breathing the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and must be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.

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